UK Driving Test Bookings Limited to Learners from May 2026

New rules prohibiting driving instructors and third parties from booking or managing practical car driving tests for learners took effect on May 12, 2026, across England, Scotland, and Wales, as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency seeks to address a growing backlog and curb slot reselling.

Under the changes, only learners can access the GOV.UK booking system to make reservations, alterations, swaps, or cancellations. They must first consult their instructor for readiness and obtain a reference number to confirm availability during booking. It is now illegal for anyone else to handle these actions, though learners may receive help from friends or family if present and receiving all confirmations. Official fees remain 62 pounds on weekdays and 75 pounds for evenings, weekends, or bank holidays.

The measures target exploitation by resellers using automated bots to grab slots and offer them at prices up to 500 pounds. Investigations found some instructors received up to 250 pounds monthly for sharing login details. Average waiting times reached 22.4 weeks by early April, up from 20.8 weeks in January and five weeks in February 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic, according to...